A graduate of Tompkins County Community College, Amanda has had a long interest in politics and activism. She looks at her time in the restaurant business — she is currently taking a leave of absence from her regular job — as her way of relating to the working-class person and how government decisions can affect them.

She feels most elected officials have advanced degrees but may not be able to relate to the experience of the regular blue-collar man or woman. Amanda meets and greets folks in a 2001 Subaru Forester saddled with its fair share of miles and some good ol' western New York rust. The day we talked, her mom accompanied her to Penn Yan; Amanda's mom is an enthusiastic supporter excited to hand out buttons and lawn signs.

The main purpose of this column is to show readers that anyone can get involved in politics, regardless of wealth and level of education. All that is needed is a desire to try to make a difference. And, a great place to start is on the local level.

Amanda Kirchgessner, the Democratic candidate challenging State Senator Tom O’Mara for his 58th Senate District seat, has been accused of several instances of domestic violence by her ex-wife.

The Ithaca Times reports Kirchgessner’s ex-wife, Brandi Morgan, told them Kirchgessner took part in a pattern of abusive behavior against her, including pushing, grabbing, throwing objects, verbal abuse and possible threats against pets. State Police reportedly were called to an incident involving the couple in June of 2015.

Published: 10/04/2018 @ 09:28 am | Updated: 10/04/2018 @ 09:29 amThe Ithaca Times reports that Amanda Kirchgessner, a progressive Democratic candidate contending for a seat in the New York State Senate representing the 58th District, has been accused of several instances of domestic violence and abuse during her last marriage.

According to the Times, Kirchgessner’s ex-wife, Brandi Morgan said an abusive pattern in the latter years of their marriage.

That marriage ended in 2016.

The allegations include grabbing, pushing, throwing objects, verbal abuse, intimidation and possible threats against Morgan and their pets.

My newest story: The ex-wife of NYS Senate candidate Amanda Kirchgessner has come forward alleging physical and verbal abuse by Kirchgessner from 2014-2015 as their marriage came to an end. #twithaca https://t.co/npNYgeYqkJ

— Matt Butler (@AllegedButler) October 2, 2018

Despite these incidents now becoming public, Kirchgessner has issued a statement defending herself and stating that she will remain in the race. Her statement is included in its entirety below:

“On Tuesday, October 2nd, the Ithaca TIMES published a story that contained serious allegations concerning my character and past actions.

One is true. In 2011, I was arrested and later pled guilty to a DWI charge. Drinking and driving was a terrible mistake for which I make no excuses. The conviction is a matter of public record, and I have never attempted to hide it or the accident that my excessive drinking caused. I received counseling about my drinking habits which I took to heart and which changed my life. I know the consequences of reckless and irresponsible drinking. In Albany, I will be a fierce champion of laws that curtail the lethal mix of driving while drunk or drugged.

The second allegation is false. While I was in an abusive marriage, I was not an abuser. I do not understand what compelled my former spouse to contact a reporter with such vicious and false charges. Our breakup was difficult and hurtful. I called 911 multiple times, and we both called 911 at the same time on one occasion. Police did visit our home. As the TIMES story indicates, no charges were ever made. I bear no ill will to Brandi Morgan, my former wife. I hope that she eventually finds some peace and moves on from a failed relationship that appears to still consume her.

I understand that Matt Butler, the reporter who wrote the story, felt compelled to rush it out to the public. I am, however, disappointed that he never contacted any of the eight individuals I suggested he contact, eight individuals among many in this community who can attest to the true history of my marriage and to my character. I will ask the TIMES to carry a long OPED by me describing in more detail the painful nature of my marriage and the emotional abuse I suffered. My fiance, Stephanie, will also be issuing a statement within a day or so.

Past mistakes and events do not define me. I was able to move on from my DWI conviction and a failed abusive relationship. In the years since my conviction and the end of my marriage, I have channeled my passions into political activism and a demand for social change. Too many people in our society remained trapped in alcohol or drug abuse and remain in abusive relationships. My experiences, while personally painful, have made me who I am – someone who will speak for those who cannot.

I will be happy to speak with any other reporters who wish to contact me.”

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"I never gave anyone hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell."

This kind of thing is only going to get worse. With the drop in the level of civility and the circus of a government we have at several levels it's no wonder elected officials are expecting some kind of crazy loon coming up to them. Everyone is on edge and you can see that in O'Mara's reaction. The subject doesn't matter, it's the entire atmosphere that's been created that shuts down any honest person just trying to make a difference.

I think Senator Rand Paul was right in his comments. This has gotten out of hand for everyone. Instead of shutting up and standing up, maybe stepping back and listening might work a bit better?

She presented evidence of the abuse through tape recordings, pictures, a police report and blog posts from the time period.

People familiar with the couple at the time have also independently corroborated to the Ithaca Times what Morgan told them throughout the later course of the marriage about Kirchgessner’s conduct.

You may choose to not believe the evidence, but for you to state evidence does not exist, is clearly false.

Furthermore, if you are implying that the Times does not, or should not, report on allegations that haven't yet been decided in a court of law, clearly that isn't how they operate (or will operate). Their front pages are full of stories about serious arrests and they have an entire column focused on "the Police Beat."

She presented evidence of the abuse through tape recordings, pictures, a police report and blog posts from the time period.

People familiar with the couple at the time have also independently corroborated to the Ithaca Times what Morgan told them throughout the later course of the marriage about Kirchgessner’s conduct.

You may choose to not believe the evidence, but for you to state evidence does not exist, is clearly false.

Furthermore, if you are implying that the Times does not, or should not, report on allegations that haven't yet been decided in a court of law, clearly that isn't how they operate (or will operate). Their front pages are full of stories about serious arrests and they have an entire column focused on "the Police Beat."

Your blatant partisanship is showing, as is the desire to, contrary to your signature, to have your own facts.

So, let's see if I've got this right...

Comments were made implying that K was a de-facto domestic abuser. These comments were made based on absolutely NO evidence, merely some extremely vague reports of allegations.

After I pointed that out, more unsubstantiated presumptions of guilt were bandied about. After I pointed that out a second time, you introduced another article containing previously undocumented allegations including alleged (and incomplete) statements made during a recorded conversation.

While I would agree that the redacted transcripts don't, on the face of it, reflect well on K, they're still only allegations, documented out-of-context, and without a chance for rebuttal.

Without a proper, controlled court-supervised evidence-based process. The comments made by you and others constitutes ZERO EVIDENCE, in spite of your mistaken belief(s) to the contrary.

As for my post of the dear Republican throwing an aggressive, spastic hissy-fit... there is no doubt of his guilt, as he has both apologized for his loathsome behavior, and the fact that there is incontrovertible video AND audio proof of the incident. On the issue of the "Times"... I'm all for reporting newsworthy content. I am NOT however, in favor of people appointing themselves judge and juror when the public testimony is still in the fact-finding stages.

I have no partisan axe to grind, bar that of making damned sure that people learn the difference between allegations and proof, and that if one is going to make calls for "innocence until proven guilty", that they first stow their hypocrisy.

So, as is self-evident, when it comes to my signature, I clearly Walk-the-Talk (unlike others). Thanks for playin', though.

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Everyone's entitled to their own opinions, but not their own facts.

Repeating falsehoods and logical inconsistencies in somewhat more flowery language than you did the first time in no way rehabilitates those falsehoods.

By your "logic" not a single newspaper could report on any story involving bad behavior unless and until there is a court verdict. Clearly, from your posting history, you do not believe that....at least when politically expedient.

Repeating falsehoods and logical inconsistencies in somewhat more flowery language than you did the first time in no way rehabilitates those falsehoods.

By your "logic" not a single newspaper could report on any story involving bad behavior unless and until there is a court verdict. Clearly, from your posting history, you do not believe that....at least when politically expedient.

Sigh... nowhere. I repeat, NOWHERE did I take issue with the news reports. I take issue (and rightfully so) with forum posters drawing clearly premature conclusions of guilt before the FACTS were appropriately determined. I challenge you to produce a single falsehood or logical inconsistency. In fact, you're the one promoting inconsistent lines of logic and reasoning by making claims that not only can't you defend, but won't even try. As for verdicts. that's the precise reason that we have a court system, because outhouse-jurors like you punters, can't be trusted to apply your judgements either evenly OR justly.

So, without any "flowery language", my ruling stands... I find the entire lot of you guilty of raging hypocrisy and negligent illiteracy... as charged. Court is dismissed.

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Everyone's entitled to their own opinions, but not their own facts.